Premier League: Game week 31, Previews and Facts!
We take a look at the top picks for this weekend games, things to look for , top facts and stats regarding each game.
The early kick-off between Sunderland and Manchester United has plenty of talking points which are listed here. Likewise, stats for Arsenal vs Reading, Manchester City vs Newcastle United , and Southampton vs Chelsea, Swansea City vs Tottenham Hotspurs are given earlier.
We will take a look at the remianing fixtures as what can they conjure up.
West Ham United vs West Bromwich Albion
West Ham
Probable Line up: Jaaskelainen, Reid, O'Brien, Demel, Collins, Jarvis, Diame, Taylor, Cole, Vaz Te, CarrollWest Brom
Probable Line up: Foster, McAuley, Rigdewell, Olsson, Jones, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Brunt, Yacob, Long, Lukaku
Form: Both teams had good starts to the campaign but the gruelity of the season has taken its toll on them, with both in a poor run of form, with West Ham collecting just 6 out of a possible 18 points while West Brom have collected 10.
Men to Watch:
Tale of Loanees:
On loan striker Andy Carroll will look to impress and keep his scoring shoes on to ensure that he stays at the club, as it is all but confirmed that he has no part to play at Anfield with Brendan Rodgers around.
Another loanee Romelu Lukaku has impressed this season, so much that Chelsea were actually thinking of re-calling him in January but he opted to stay. He will look to finish on a high so that he gets his deserved game time at his parent club.
Top Fact: Last 4 games between the two have ended in a draw, scoreless or score draw, but have ended in a draw. Bet for another draw in this one!
Wigan Athletic vs Norwich City
Wigan
Probable Line up: Al-Habsi, Boyce, Figueroa, Stam, Caldwell, McCarthy, McArthur, Maloney, Beausejaur, KoneNorwich City
Probable Line up: Camp, Bassong, Turner, R Martin, Garrido, Snodgrass, Hoolahan, Johnson, Tettey, Howson, HoltForm:
Both teams face similar type of form going into this one, as home team has 8 out of 18, and visitors have got 7 out of 18.
Men to Watch:
Wigan are not big scorers, but Kone will be looking to get something out of this game, also Shaun Maloney will be the one to watch out.
Norwich will be looking for a goal from somewhere, and their best bid might be from a set -piece, watch out for Bassong and Turner.
Top Fact: Expect a thriller or a really dull game, both teams play good football but are not high scorers, go for a 0-0 in this one, as I am.
Everton vs Stoke City
Everton
Probable Line up: Howard, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Heitinga, Osman, Gibson, Coleman, Jelavic, Mirallas, NaismithStoke City
Probable Line up: Begovic, Huth, Shawcross, Cameron, Wilkinson, Whelan, Kightly, Adam, Nzonzi, Walters, CrouchForm:
Everton are fantastic at home, where they won against Manchester City last time around before beating Reading 3-1. They are in good form overall as well as they look to push for a Champions League or Europa League place. Their visitors are possibly the worst visiting side of the league, with just one draw out of their last 6 trips. Do not expect them to do an upset against the inform team at home.
Men to Watch:
With Maroane Fellaini suspended, impetus will be on the strikers to score the goals, the likes of Nikicia Jelavic, Kevin Mirallas, and Steven Naismith will be the ones to look out, with the probability of Jelavic scoring on the higher side. For Stoke, it has to be a set-piece with their height and power, can not see them scoring from open-play unless Ethrington and Walters combine to good effect.
Top Fact: Everton will win, simple as that! scoring 2 or more.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Aston Villa
Probable Line up: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Lichaj, Bannan, Ireland, Westwood, N'Zogbia, Agbanlahor, BentekeLiverpool
Probable Line up: Reina, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Johnson, Gerrard, Downing, Lucas, Coutinho, Sturridge, Suarez
Form:
Aston Villa are looking at their shoulders all the time, and they are in a real relegation dog-fight. They are three points ahead of Wigan, but by the time they play they might be again in the relegation zone. Form suggests that they will give the visitors a game especially after the morale boosting win against QPR last time around. For Liverpool, After scoring 12 goals in their wins against Spurs, Wigan and Swansea, they were well beaten at St. Mary's, and that has been there season. A great performance is more often than not followed by a lethargic one. Which Liverpool will turn out at Villa Park, only time will tell!
Men to Watch:
Luis Suarez has been the anchor man for the Reds and he will be looking to continue his push for the Golden boot, and a leaky Villa defense will give him a lot of opportunities to score. How many will he take?
Villa must be looking at their experience pros to lift them above this situation, the likes of Ireland, Bent, N'zogbia and Paul Lambert himself must realize it is their duty to get Villa out of this predicament.
Top Fact: There has been no draws between the two in their last six meetings, expect goals and expect a winner!
Fulham vs Queens Park Rangers
Fulham
Probable Line up: Schwarzer, Reither, Riise, Hangeland, Hughes, Sidwell, Dejagah, Duff, Karagounis, Berbatov, RuizQPR
Probable Line up: Cesar, Hill, Samba, Fabio, Bosingwa, Derry, Townsend, Taraabt, Jenas, Granero, RemyForm:
With safety almost secured, Fulham are looking to make it a certainity at home against an almost relegated QPR side. With no real injuries to first team probables, this should be a game which Fulham can win and should win, and edge closer to the 40-point mark. For QPR though, the struggle looks to be a vain one, as a defeat here will leave them in a real heap, not that they are already in one, but anything less than 3 points in this derby will definitely see them relegated.
Men to Watch:
Dimitar Berbatov says you just have to keep calm and pass the ball to him, and you should follow that advice if you play for Fulham. He has been a one-man army for Fulham as they look to remain in the league, possible best buy of the season, he will also be presented with decent chances to score against QPR. For QPR though,a January buy in Loic Remy has given them some impetus in front of goal but his game time has been reduced because of injuries, he needs to get playing if Redknapp is thinking of doing the magical escape.
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